as are apt to make you love this world better than the next; for this is not the world you were made for'.

SECT.
III.

1 Heb. xi.

Q. Is it possible for one to love any thing better than 13. heaven?

A. What a man thinks of most, that he loveth best, to be sure2.

Now, there are many things which make a show and appearance of happiness, and are therefore called pomps, because they draw men's eyes and affections towards them; and yet they are but vanity, and cannot make us happy. Q. What are the things you mean?

2 Matt. vi.

21.

16.

A. The Apostle tells you3: they are "the lust of the flesh,” 3 1 John ii. that is, all sinful pleasures; "the lust of the eye," that is, the desire of riches; and "the pride of life," or whatever makes us to value ourselves; all which a Christian ought to renounce. Q. Must a Christian renounce all pleasures?

A. There are pleasures which a Christian ought never to be acquainted with; concerning which the Scripture saith, "That no whoremonger, nor drunkard, nor unclean person, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God1." Eph. v. 5. However tempting these pleasures may be, you have but this choice; you must either deny yourself, or be for ever damned.

And even innocent pleasures, you will not set your heart upon them, nor let them have too much of your time, if you often remember the words of Christ: 66 Woe unto you that laugh now," who spend your life in ease and pleasures, "for ye shall lament and weep"."

Consider that a Christian is in this life fitting himself for heaven now it is impossible you should mind that business, if you are too well pleased with what you find here".

This is the reason why afflictions are necessary, and why God sends them. To wean us from these vanities, which we are too apt to doat on, and to make us think of, and provide for, a better life.

And this is the reason why riches are so dangerous, that Jesus Christ hath affirmed, It is very hard for a rich man to be a good Christian".

Q. Why are riches so dangerous, and to be renounced?

A. Because they bring great temptations along with them. They tempt men to forget God; to think too well of, and to

5 Luke vi. 25.

6 Matt. vi.

24.

7 Matt. xix.

23.

1Prov.x.15.

SECT. trust in, themselves'; to lord it over their inferiors; to live III. in slothfulness, and without any honest employment ;—and to make provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. All which things strongly incline men to prefer this life to a future, and to forget they depend upon God.

14.

Besides, riches are attended with cares, which are apt to

2 Luke viii. choke the good seed the Spirit of God sows in our hearts2. Q. Must then every man, who would save his soul, renounce the thoughts of riches?

A. Riches may be used to good purposes; the Apostle tells you how [1 Tim. vi. 17, 18]; but they are dangerous things, and you ought neither to desire nor enjoy them too eagerly.

Q. What advice will you give me, that I may not do so? A. That you may not endeavour, by unjust ways, to better your condition, remember the words of Christ; "What will it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose 3 Mark viii. his own soul?" 36.

To moderate your desires, consider that the more you have, the more you must account for. To make you contented, you must know, that men are not happy because they have a great deal, but because God gives them power to enjoy what they have, be that more or less.

That the favours of God may not tempt you to idleness, remember, that slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; that is, it makes men insensible of what concerns the next world, and 4 Prov. xix. in this world covers them with rags 4.

15.

And lastly, if you let no worldly business hinder you from serving God daily, it will keep in your mind a constant sense of your dependance upon Him, for the blessings of this world, and of the world to come.

Q. I must now desire you to tell me, what is that Pride of Life, which a Christian must renounce?

A. It is an eager desire of being like those that are above us; which is the cause of many evils both in ourselves and others.

It tempts us to lay out so much upon vanity, that we cannot give what we ought to the poor.

It tempts many to run into debt, and hinders many from paying their just debts.

It makes us to despise poor and plain people, as if they SECT. were not of the same kind with us.

go

It makes us to envy one another, and to strive who shall finest.

So that people are more concerned how to be esteemed in this world, than to be beloved of God, or to be happy in the next.

Q. Is there any other kind of pride which a Christian must renounce?

A. Yes there is a proud conceit of ourselves, which is very natural to us, and yet very sinful.

For it causeth us to overlook our own infirmities and faults, so that we can never be truly humble.

To fancy that we deserve more than we have, which maketh us discontented.

To look upon God's favour as our due, which maketh us unthankful.

Q. Since this pride of life and heart is so natural to us, what can cure us of it?

A. Nothing but the grace of God, and possessing your heart with things of greater moment.

Consider that you are liable to eternal misery; that your great business in this world is to fit yourself for a happy death, and for the day of judgment; and you will be very indifferent about your clothes, or who takes place of you.

III.

You will neither study to be vain and foolish in your dress, nor singular and conceited, but imitate such as are soberminded; as knowing, that the ornament of an humble spirit111 Pet. iii.4. will best recommend you to God, which should be your great

concern.

And then, if you remember that you have nothing which you have not received2; nothing but what you must give an account 2 1 Cor. iv.7. for; you will have more reason to fear, than to be proud of your advantages.

THE PRAYER.

ALMIGHTY GOD, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; grant us grace to withstand the temptations of the Devil, the world, and the flesh, that we

III.

SECT. may never follow nor be led by them. Keep it ever in the hearts of Thy servants, that it is indeed an evil thing and bitter to forsake the Lord; that we may never return unto the sins we have repented of. Make us, O Lord, ever mindful of our infirmities, that we may ever look up to Thee for help; and give us grace that we may never despise Thy help, nor grieve Thy Holy Spirit, by which we are sanctified. Grant this, O Father, for Thy dear Son's sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1

1 Luke xii.
37.

"Heb.iii. 13.

SECTION IV.

Of Watching, Mortification, and Self-Denial.

Q. THE more I consider my vow in baptism, the more I am convinced that I ought to believe and do what my Godfathers and Godmothers promised for me.

"And I heartily thank our Heavenly Father, that He hath called me to this state of salvation, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. And I pray unto God to give me His grace, that I may continue in the same unto my life's end."

A. And God will most surely give you the grace you pray for, if you are careful to watch, and to mortify, and to deny yourself, as the Christian religion obligeth you to do.

Q. Is it a Christian duty to watch?

A. It is commanded by Christ', and often repeated by His Apostles, as a duty of moment; and there is reason for it.

For sin is very deceitful2, and so are our corrupt hearts3; 3 Jer.xvii.9. the Devil is a deceiver, and we live in a deceitful world; and it will be no excuse that we are overcome, when the Word of God gives us warning,-commands us to watch and to depend upon God's help and favour.

Q. How must a Christian watch over himself?

A. You must watch over your heart, from whence all evil

4 Matt. xv. proceedeth1:

19.

That when unlawful thoughts and desires come into it, you may resist them, while it is in your power, and before they take too deep root;

And that when the Spirit of God puts into your mind

good desires, you may gladly receive, and heartily follow SECT. them.

You must watch over your conscience, to keep it tender and awake, and resolve at all times to hearken to it.

You must watch over your senses, and resolve never to please yourself at the hazard of your soul.

And you must watch over your actions, that, when you have done amiss, you may repent, and do so no more.

And "blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing."

Q. What is the end of mortification?

A. The end of mortification is to subdue by degrees the corruption of nature, that we may become new creatures, and fit for heaven.

Q. How can we do this?

A. By the help of the Holy Spirit, which is given to every man at Baptism".

Q. What is to be done on our part towards this great work? A. You must heartily receive, and often think of, this truth; That it will be impossible for you ever to go to heaven, until your nature is changed; that is, until you can take delight in hearing God's word, and doing His will; which you can never do, while you live in known sin.

Therefore let this be your serious purpose; To root out of your nature, as soon as may be, all evil habits.

Remember that every sin a man commits, he must hear of it again, either in bitter repentance and judgments here, or hereafter in endless misery3.

IV.

'Matt.xxiv. 46.

22 Cor. v. 5.

3 Job xiii.

Consider therefore your particular failings; resolve against 26. them; be very angry with yourself when you break your resolutions; make new vows of better obedience; pray constantly to God for help, that He who has commanded you not to sin, may also enable you to do His will.

And be assured, that when He sees you in good earnest sorry for your offences, and struggling with your corruptions, He will pity, and pardon, and mend what is amiss in you, and reward your labour with the blessings of heaven: "For if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live"."

Q. Is Self-denial a Christian duty?

4 Rom. iii.

13.